Sokha loses Angkor ticket sales

SIEM REAP  Cambodia’s government has ended a ticket sales contract at the famed Angkor Wat Temple complex saying it will establish a public enterprise to take over ticket sales next year.
Agence Kampuchea Presse reported that the government terminated the contract for ticket sale collection at Angkor temples with Sokha Hotel Company last Friday.
It plans to establish a public enterprise to supervise the collection of revenue generated from Angkor ticket sales.
Sokha Hotel Company will continue to sell tickets according to the termination notice, handing over collection in early January 2016 to the new enterprise.

inside no 1Sokha Hotel Company, owned by influential tycoon, Sok Kong, has been collecting the fees since 1999.
The decision to terminate the contract with the company followed continued criticism from the opposition Cambodia National Rescue Party, which alleged that the government lost revenue by sub-contracting collection to a private firm.
Despite criticism, government officials said allegations of corruption was not a factor in making the decision.
Phnom Penh Post quoted government spokesman, Phay Siphan, saying the company’s current five-year contract was due to end next year.
“When the business started, the government needed a partner. At that time the government did not have the ability to invest in collection, so we looked to the private sector… now the government sees this business is stable, the number of tourists has increased… instead of partnering with the private sector, the government will take control to maximise the income for the state,” the spokesman said.
APSARA Authority, which manages the ancient temple complex, will remain in charge of preservation and conservation at the Angkor park.
According to APSARA Authority, 1.67 million international tourists visited Angkor temples during the first 10 months of this year, a 2% increase compared to the same period last year.
Ticket sales at Angkor Wat Temple complex reached USD47.68 million in the first 10 months of this year, up 0.62% year-on-year.
In October alone, 153,308 foreign tourists visited the Angkor temples, up 4.09%, generating revenue of over USD4.3 million from the Angkor ticket sales, up 4.52% compared with the same period last year.
The entrance fees to the Angkor temples and monuments in Siem Reap costs USD20 for a day visit, USD40 for three days and USD60 for one week.
The Angkor Archeological Park is the main tourism attractions in Cambodia, well ahead of coastal areas and the ecotourism sites in the northeastern part of the country.
The park was inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1992 located in Siem Reap province, which lies 315 km northwest of capital Phnom Penh.

sourced:ttrweekly.com